Rob’s Unofficial, Unapproved Taste of EatLafayette Awards

Last night's Taste of EatLafayette featured more than 60 restaurants and their most popular dishes. The event was held in conjunction with the Louisiana Seafood Cook-off which crowned Blue Dog Cafe Chef Ryan Trahan the 2018 Seafood King.

The event is built as a showcase of food with no actual winners, but you know I love a good competition. I love to taste as much as I can and pick my favorites for you every year. I have awarded the Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards below. The best part is that you can visit these EatLafayette restaurants all summer long for deals and special offers. Happy eating, Acadiana!

GOLD MEDAL - Alesi Pizza House

Pork Meatballs in Alfredo Sauce

At first glance, my first thought was that pork wouldn't be "sturdy" enough to be made into a meatball in a sauce. And it wasn't tomato sauce, it was Alfredo. I was WRONG. The pork, sauce and pasta combination was so different than your typical meatball and sauce combination. The folks at Alesi Pizza House on Johnston Street did not abandon the almighty tomato sauce for the Taste of Eat Lafayette Event. There was a separate option with 'red gravy' as my Sicilian grandmother would say.

SILVER MEDAL - Johnson's Boucanière

Country Ribs with Rice and Gravy

Rice and Gracy is a steady favorite in our house, but this is something like I have never had. Country Ribs with rice and gravy from Johnson's Boucaniere was amazing and unexpected. I have been known to lunch at their location on the edge of Downtown Lafayette near St. John's Cathedral. Their pulled pork, pulled chicken, and smoked sausage have been my favorite, but this may take the cake. Don't let this turn you off, but the gravy had a barbecue taste. It wasn't barbecue sauce, but the flavor was amazing. It is definitely worth the trip to Lafayette for lunch.

BRONZE MEDAL - Cafe Josephine

Shrimp and Grits

If you've ever gone up to Sunset, LA for dinner at Cafe Josephine's there is not a chance you forgot it. From the biscuits when you sit down to the heat of the flames from the char-grilled oyster bar, it's a full sensory experience. At the EatLafayette event on Tuesday, the ladies from Cafe Josephine were serving their shrimp and grits. It made the "best-of" list because of how unique the sauce was that the shrimp were cooked in. It was a cream sauce instead of the typical butter sauce on shrimp and grits. It's worth your time.